Freese, according to the report, will receive an anti-inflammatory injection later today that could keep him off the field for at least one additional day. But the MRI showed nothing to make the team think he’ll be out for an extended period.

GM John Mozeliak used the word “encouraged” to describe his and the front office’s reaction to Freese's MRI and his improvement today from Sunday, when he was a last-minute scratch from the day’s game because of the recurring back pain that has persisted for nearly three weeks.

The original problem—described as “tightness”—stems from a play March 4, when Freese chased a popup into foul territory and leaned against the gate separating the field from the stands. The gate gave way, and Freese landed on the concrete steps, bruising his tailbone.

Freese was scheduled to start and play third base Sunday until just a minutes before the game. A team trainer notified manager Mike Matheny that Freese’s back pain had returned after he aggravated it in baserunning drills.

Freese has been in and out of the lineup with the back pain, and the Cardinals have only four exhibition games remaining, including one this afternoon against the Minnesota Twins in Fort Myers, Fla. Freese stayed behind in Jupiter to receive treatment.

“The timing is—we don’t have many days before we have to be ready,” Matheny said, according to the Post-Dispatch. “He hasn’t had a lot of at-bats. We’ve got to be ready for whatever. … We’re always trying to figure out scenarios and try to have contingencies.”

If Freese is unavailable, the Cardinals will open the season with Matt Carpenter at third base, where he is likely to start this afternoon against Minnesota. Prospect Oscar Taveras has remained in major-league camp as long as there is playing time for him.